2016 School Catalog and Student Handbook

39845 Mathews Lane Paonia, CO 81428 (970) 527­7657

Volume No. 1

Effective for programs beginning on or after January 1, 2016

I Certify this Catalog is true and correct in content and policy.

Approved and Regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board

Table of Contents Page Introduction 3 Educational Services 4 Programs & Courses 5

Class Schedules 15 Enrollment Procedures 16 Entrance Requirements 16

Previous Credits 17 Attendance Requirements 17 Placement Assistance 17 Postponement of Start Date 17

Assessment Process and Polices 17 Grading System 19 Progress Policy 19 Conduct Policy 19 Dismissal 20

Facilities 20 Refund Policy 21 VA Refund Policy 22 Student Complaints 23 Student Grievance Procedure 23

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Introduction

Solar Energy International (SEI) (hereinafter referred to as SEI) was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit educational organization. Our mission is to provide industry­leading technical training and expertise in renewable energy to empower people, communities, and businesses worldwide. Why? Because we envision a world powered by renewable energy! SEI Executive Leadership, Board of Directors, and Advisory Board Executive Director Kathryn Swartz Chief Financial Officer Denise Massart­Isaacson Board of Directors

Ed Marston Sarah Bishop Paul Bony Hal Brill John Gavan Brad Harding Jock Jacober Tom Vessels

SEI Industry Advisory Committee

Kelly Larson ­ Independent Solar PV / Electrical Contractor Connor English ­ CEO and Co­Founder at PVBid Paul Mync ­ Technical Sales Manager, Western Region at Sungrow Power Supply Jason Kechijian ­ Head of Systems & Engineering at SolBright Renewable Energy Johan Alfsen ­ Director of Training & Technical Services at Quick Mount PV

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SEI Instructors and Curriculum Team

Bill Hoffer Brad Burkhartzmeyer Brian Mehalic Chris Brooks Chuck Marken David Del Vecchio Eric Westerhoff Garrison Riegal J.R. Whitley Jack O'Donohue Jay Peltz Jay Pozner Jeff Tobe Joe Villacci Juan Livingstone Justine Sanchez Karo Fernandez Kelly Larson

Ken Gardner Khanti Munro Kristopher Sutton Kyle Bolger Laura Walters Lena Wilensky Mike Sullivan Orion Thornton Phil Friedman Rebekah Hren Ryan Bradt Tim Coats Tom Munson Tony Diaz Vaughan Woodruff Zeke Yewdall

Educational Services SEI SOLAR PROFESSIONALS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM TRACKS and TUITION COSTS The SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Program is a selective admissions program to help ensure the success of our students and provide a quality workforce for the solar industry. To determine a candidate’s likelihood of program completion, alignment of career goals, and overall good fit for this professional training program, we require a certificate program application to be completed by every student candidate. This is required for any certificate path and acceptance into the overall program. Multiple certificates can be earned by adding courses to your original Certificate Path. The following certificate tracks prepare graduates for a career in the clean energy sector by exposing participants to the leading renewable energy technologies that are found throughout the world. Training hours earned through these certificate program tracks also satisfy the required training hours found in the industry’s most recognized certifications to include the North American Board of Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification options. The SPCP certificate tracks are NOT considered professional certification and serve as proof of graduation from SEI’s training program.

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Residential and Commercial Photovoltaic Systems Certificate Occupational Objective: The graduate should be able to acquire an entry­level position in the solar industry as an installer, designer, site analyst, field manager, field technician or other related entry level position. Required Courses (5) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101 >PV201L > PV202 or PVOL202 > PV203 or PVOL203 > PV303 or PVOL303 Total Contact Training Hours: 200­240 hours * total hours and pricing will vary depending on student’s selection of in­person or online courses Program Tuition: $4,275 ­ $5,475 This certificate path covers a comprehensive spectrum of grid­direct and battery­based residential and commercial photovoltaic design and installation applications. Applying the National Electric Code and job­site safety considerations will be strongly emphasized in this certificate program. The technical concepts needed as a solar professional, whether you’re working on single family homes to commercial projects to utility scale systems, will be covered in this program. This Certificate Program will satisfy the training portion of the requirements for the NABCEP Entry Level Exam and the NABCEP PV Certification exams.

Battery­Based Photovoltaic Systems Certificate Occupational Objective: The graduate should be able to acquire an entry­level position in the solar industry as an installer, designer, site analyst, field manager, field technician or other related entry level position. Required Courses (6) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101 > PV203 or PVOL203 > PV201L > PV301L > PV303 or PVOL303 > PV304 or PVOL304 Total Contact Training Hours: 240­260 hours * total hours and pricing will vary depending on student’s selection of in­person or online courses Program Tuition: $5,570 ­ $6,970 Even though the vast majority of solar photovoltaic applications are now grid­direct, there are homes and industries that need battery­based photovoltaic systems. Through this certificate program you will be trained on the technical application of solar photovoltaic battery­based systems to serve many different areas such as telecommunications,, agricultural applications, off­grid homes and other remote applications, and grid­connected battery back­up systems.

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Solar Business and Technical Sales Certificate Occupational Objective: The graduate should be able to acquire an entry­level position in the solar industry as a sales representative, installer, designer, site analyst, field manager, field technician or other related entry level position. Required Courses (5) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101 > PV201L > PV202 or PVOL202 > PV203 or PVOL203 > PVOL206 Total Contact Training Hours: 220­260 * total hours and pricing will vary depending on student’s selection of in­person or online courses Program Tuition: $4,275 – $5,275 This certificate path is perfect for an individual who is seeking a sales or product representative position in the solar industry or is considering starting their own business. A solid focus on the technical, economic, and financial aspects of the solar industry are covered in this program to prepare you for the fast paced and highly dynamic solar industry. In addition to understanding all the financial incentives and sales techniques, being technically competent in the application and installation of photovoltaic systems will make you a better sales professional. This certificate program will give you the confidence needed when talking with potential customers about this highly technical field. This Certificate Program will satisfy the training portion of the requirements for the NABCEP Entry Level Exam and the NABCEP PV Certification exams.

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International and Developing World Applications Certificate Occupational Objective: The graduate should be able to acquire an entry­level position in the solar industry as an installer, designer, site analyst, field manager, field technician or other related entry level position. Required Courses (5) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101 > PV203 or PVOL203 > PV301L > PV304 or PVOL304 > RDOL101 Total Contact Training Hours: 220­240 hours * total hours and pricing will vary depending on student’s selection of in­person or online courses Program Tuition: $4,075 ­ $5,075 Not all solar professionals are on a roof in the United States installing photovoltaic systems. Some of the most rewarding and meaningful work can be found in the developing world. Solar professionals can be found working for government aid agencies and other non­profit organizations who are training local communities to become self­sustaining. This work is often accomplished through application of renewable energy technologies in some of the most remote areas of of the world. This certificate program will take you through the common battery­based photovoltaic technologies and other developing world topics to prepare you for a rewarding career in helping the world realize the hope provided by renewable energy. This Certificate Program will satisfy the training portion of the requirements for the NABCEP Entry Level Exam and the NABCEP PV Certification exams.

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Renewable Energy Applications Certificate Occupational Objective: The graduate should be able to acquire an entry­level position in the renewable energy industry as an installer, designer, site analyst, field manager, field technician or other related entry level position. Required Courses (4) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101 > SHOL101 > MH101 > RDOL101 Total Contact Training Hours: 200­220 hours * total hours and pricing will vary depending on student’s selection of in­person or online courses Program Tuition: $3,080­ $3,280 This certificate program will expose you to other renewable energy technologies and is often a good “add­on” certificate path for a solar professional who has completed one of the other certificate programs. When talking with home or business owners you may be asked your professional opinion about all the options in the renewable energy sector and which technology will best suit their energy needs and location. In order to explain these technologies with utmost confidence, it is best to get hands­on experience in other renewable energy technologies in addition to photovoltaic systems.

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Solar Professionals Trainer Certificate** Occupational Objective: The graduate should be able to acquire a position in higher education / vocational training sector and/or the solar industry as an instructor, trainer, installer, designer, site analyst, field manager, field technician or related position. Required Courses (9) and Training Progression: PV101 or PVOL101 > PV201L > PV202 or PVOL202 > PV203 or PVOL203 > PVOL206 > PV301L > PV303 or PVOL303 > PV304 or PVOL304 > PV351L Total Contact Training Hours: 380­420 * total hours and pricing will vary depending on student’s selection of in­person or online courses Program Tuition: $8,655 ­ $10,255 Hundreds of solar training programs are sprouting up all over, and gaining the knowledge of how to deliver a world class training program can be difficult and daunting. With over 20 years of hands­on and classroom instruction, the SEI curriculum and overall program is the gold standard for solar training and we want to share that knowledge with you. This certificate program will expose you to SEI’s best classroom curriculum and lab training experience for you and your instructional staff to get first hand experience in what it takes to put on a full solar training program at your school or training organization. This Certificate Program will satisfy the training portion of the requirements for the NABCEP Entry Level Exam and the NABCEP PV Certification exams. *This certificate program only introduces best teaching practices through the actual experience of taking these courses from SEI Instructors. It is designed for current instructors in a related field or people with a strong background in the PV industry who are seeking an instructional role. SEI recommends that an individual receive additional classroom instruction and classroom management training, if not currently an instructor. **For the Trainer Certificate you must currently be a college or vocational school instructor in a related field.

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Individual Courses and Tuition Costs PV101: Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid­Direct) ­ $995.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: None. Completion of our free online RE100 Introduction to Renewable Energy, is highly recommended. Course Description: PV101 is your gateway to a career in the solar industry. It all starts with the fundamentals, and a solid understanding of various components, system architectures, and applications for PV systems. Other topics include site analysis, system sizing, array configuration, and performance estimation; electrical design characteristics such as wiring, overcurrent protection, and grounding; a detailed look at module and inverter specifications and characteristics; mounting methods for various roof structures and ground­mounts; and an introduction to safely and effectively commissioning grid­direct PV systems.This course focuses on grid­direct PV systems, the largest and fastest growing segment of the PV industry, but covers material critical to understanding all types of PV systems. These core concepts are expanded on in SEI’s upper­level PV courses, which focus more specifically on particular system types, applications and design methodologies. *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis. PV202: Advanced PV System Design and the NEC (Grid­Direct) ­ $995.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: PV 101 or PVOL101 Course Description: Take a deep dive into National Electrical Code (NEC®) standards as well as other best practices that pertain to designing grid­direct PV systems. The focus in PV202 is on residential and commercial­scale systems, but the Code requirements, design parameters, and best practices are applicable to all types and sizes of PV installations. Detailed lessons address requirements for disconnects, overcurrent protection, and wire sizing; interconnection requirements and calculations; grounding, ground­faults, and surge protection; calculations for system sizing, inverter selection, and electrical configuration; ground and roof mount details; and commissioning and performance analysis procedures. *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis. PV203: PV System Fundamentals (Battery­Based) ­ $995.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: PV101 or PVOL101, an equivalent course from another organization, or demonstrate field experience and pass a placement quiz. Course Description: Energy storage has been a part of many PV systems since the beginning, but now the market is growing like never before. In PV203 the focus is on the fundamentals of battery­based PV systems. The applications and configurations are many, and their complexity far exceeds that of grid­direct PV systems. Components such as batteries, charge controllers, and battery­based inverters are covered in detail, along with safety and maintenance considerations unique to battery­based systems. Load analysis is

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critical to system design and will also be addressed along with other design criteria such as battery bank configuration and the electrical integration of the system. *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis. PV303: Advanced PV Multimode and Microgrid Design (Battery­Based) ­ $995.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: PV101or PVOL101 AND PV203 PREP or PVOL203 or PV203 Course Description: Among the most complex PV systems, multimode systems and microgrids have many applications and demand for them is growing fast. Whether powering a campus, providing backup for when the grid is down, or reducing peak demand, there are numerous benefits of PV systems with energy storage that can interact with the utility grid ­ or act as their own grid. Lessons in PV303 include detailed design considerations for AC and DC coupled systems, as well as numerous examples for each, along with an in­depth presentation on designing a stand­alone microgrid. National Electrical Code (NEC®) requirements and best practices that pertain to these systems are addressed, including interconnection with the utility grid, along with maintenance and commissioning procedures and requirements. *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis. PV304: Advanced PV Stand­alone System Design (Battery­Based) ­ $995.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: PV 101 or PVOL101 AND PV203 PREP or PVOL203 or PV203 Course Description: Off­grid was where PV got its start – with so many applications for stand­alone power, and continual new developments and cost reductions in energy storage technology, this sector of the market is growing like never before. Detailed analysis of load considerations, charge controller sizing, and specifying stand­alone inverters is followed by numerous design examples that address the wide ranging specifics of different off­grid applications. Also covered is generator sizing and integration, maintenance for stand­alone systems, water pumping, and a healthy dose of best practices that have been learned over the years. Advance your PV knowledge well beyond where the grid goes with PV304! *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis.

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PV201L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Grid­Direct) ­ $1495.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: PV101 or PVOL101 Course Description: Put the classroom theory into practice with the ultimate hands­on PV experience available! This five day lab class offers students the opportunity to work closely with experienced PV professionals. You will gain valuable insight and experience while installing and commissioning multiple PV systems consisting of modules, inverters, and racking components from a wide range of manufacturers that are all big players in the PV industry. A low student­to­instructor ratio and the world­class lab facility at SEI’s home base in Paonia, Colorado combine to make PV201L the perfect environment for your first hands­on PV experience. *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis. PV301L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Battery­Based) ­ $1,495.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: PV101or PVOL101 AND PV203 PREP or PVOL203 or PV203 Course Description: This five day lab class is an amazing opportunity to get hands­on experience with a wide range of battery­based PV system components and architectures at SEI’s world­class lab facility in Paonia, Colorado. Working in small groups with instructors who live and breathe battery­based PV, students install, test, and commission numerous PV systems with energy storage that address a wide range of applications. The labs in PV301L consist of stand­alone and multimode PV systems, and include AC and DC coupled equipment. Many experienced solar professionals have never worked with batteries – this is your chance to leap to the front of the pack! *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis. PV351L: PV Systems ­ Tools and Techniques for Operation and Maintenance Lab Week (Grid­Direct) ­ $1,495.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: PV101 or PVOL101 AND 202, AND 201L or be actively working in the PV field. Course Description: PV351L is an intensive, advanced training designed for solar professionals already working in the PV industry who want to take their technical skills to the next level ­ and gain hands­on experience with a wide range of advanced analytical tools and meters. A mix of classroom and lab time, theory is immediately applied in the field, with a focus on commissioning, operations and maintenance, troubleshooting, and performance evaluation, using a wide variety of the latest and greatest tools the industry has to offer, including various multimeters, insulation resistance testers, IV curve tracers, and infrared cameras. Learn the advanced skills required to ensure PV systems operate safely and reliably! *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis.

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MH101: Micro­Hydro Design & Installation ­ $895.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: None Course Description: This workshop will cover design considerations as they apply to both low and high head micro­hydro systems. The focus will be on core concepts that may be applied to a wide range of hydro applications, including irrigation ditches that are commonly found throughout the Western U.S. Course instruction will include how to measure elevation differences and water flow rates. Several turbines will be installed and tested as part of the course participation. Online Courses PVOL101: Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid­Direct) ­ Online ­ $795.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 60 hours Prerequisites: None. Completion of our free online RE100 Introduction to Renewable Energy, is highly recommended. Course Description: PV101 is your gateway to a career in the solar industry. It all starts with the fundamentals, and a solid understanding of various components, system architectures, and applications for PV systems. Other topics include site analysis, system sizing, array configuration, and performance estimation; electrical design characteristics such as wiring, overcurrent protection, and grounding; a detailed look at module and inverter specifications and characteristics; mounting methods for various roof structures and ground­mounts; and an introduction to safely and effectively commissioning grid­direct PV systems.This course focuses on grid­direct PV systems, the largest and fastest growing segment of the PV industry, but covers material critical to understanding all types of PV systems. These core concepts are expanded on in SEI’s upper­level PV courses, which focus more specifically on particular system types, applications and design methodologies. *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis. PVOL202: Advanced PV System Design and the NEC (Grid­Direct) ­Online­$795.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 60 hours Prerequisites: PV 101 or PVOL101 Course Description: Take a deep dive into National Electrical Code (NEC®) standards as well as other best practices that pertain to designing grid­direct PV systems. The focus in PV202 is on residential and commercial­scale systems, but the Code requirements, design parameters, and best practices are applicable to all types and sizes of PV installations. Detailed lessons address requirements for disconnects, overcurrent protection, and wire sizing; interconnection requirements and calculations; grounding, ground­faults, and surge protection; calculations for system sizing, inverter selection, and electrical configuration; ground and roof mount details; and commissioning and performance analysis procedures. *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis.

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PVOL203: PV System Fundamentals (Battery­Based) – Online ­ $595 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: PV101 or PVOL101, an equivalent course from another organization, or demonstrate field experience and pass a placement quiz. Course Description: Energy storage has been a part of many PV systems since the beginning, but now the market is growing like never before. In PV203 the focus is on the fundamentals of battery­based PV systems. The applications and configurations are many, and their complexity far exceeds that of grid­direct PV systems. Components such as batteries, charge controllers, and battery­based inverters are covered in detail, along with safety and maintenance considerations unique to battery­based systems. Load analysis is critical to system design and will also be addressed along with other design criteria such as battery bank configuration and the electrical integration of the system. *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis. PVOL303: Advanced PV Multimode and Microgrid Design (Battery­Based) ­ Online­ $595.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: PV101or PVOL101 AND PV203 PREP or PVOL203 or PV203 Course Description: Among the most complex PV systems, multimode systems and microgrids have many applications and demand for them is growing fast. Whether powering a campus, providing backup for when the grid is down, or reducing peak demand, there are numerous benefits of PV systems with energy storage that can interact with the utility grid ­ or act as their own grid. Lessons in PV303 include detailed design considerations for AC and DC coupled systems, as well as numerous examples for each, along with an in­depth presentation on designing a stand­alone microgrid. National Electrical Code (NEC®) requirements and best practices that pertain to these systems are addressed, including interconnection with the utility grid, along with maintenance and commissioning procedures and requirements. *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis. PVOL304: Advanced PV Stand­alone System Design (Battery­Based) ­ Online ­ $595.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 40 hours Prerequisites: PV 101 or PVOL101 AND PV203 PREP or PVOL203 or PV203 Course Description: Off­grid was where PV got its start – with so many applications for stand­alone power, and continual new developments and cost reductions in energy storage technology, this sector of the market is growing like never before. Detailed analysis of load considerations, charge controller sizing, and specifying stand­alone inverters is followed by numerous design examples that address the wide ranging specifics of different off­grid applications. Also covered is generator sizing and integration, maintenance for stand­alone systems, water pumping, and a healthy dose of best practices that have been learned over the years. Advance your PV knowledge well beyond where the grid goes with PV304!

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PVOL206: Solar Business and Technical Sales ­ Online ­ $795.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 60 hours Prerequisites: PV101 or PVOL101 Course Description: There are many opportunities for different careers in the PV industry, including the business and sales side of it. Addressing the topics in the NABCEP PV Technical Sales task analysis, PVOL206 focuses on business principles, financial analysis, and system financing. This course is geared toward students who are interested in, or who already are working in, the business or sales side of the PV industry and are looking to improve their sales techniques or are working towards the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification. *This course is based on NABCEP's PV Technical Sales Professional Job Task Analysis. RDOL101: Appropriate Technology for the Developing World ­ Online ­ $595.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 60 hours Prerequisites: None Course Description: This course explores different technologies that are used in development projects to improve the quality of peoples’ lives and help eliminate poverty. The class is divided into two sections. The first section surveys technologies that aim to improve people’s access to basic human needs: water and sanitation, food processing and cooking technologies, biomass, rural electrification, and appropriate building techniques. The second section of the class focuses on project development and implementation. SHOL101: Solar Hot Water Design and Installation ­ Online ­ $795.00 Total Contact Training Hours: 60 hours Prerequisites: None Course Description: Students in this course will learn the theory, design considerations and installation strategies necessary to install and maintain a solar domestic hot water system. Passive solar water heaters, drainback systems, antifreeze systems, and photovoltaic powered systems are all addressed, as well as an introduction to pool and space heating systems. Full 2016 Training / Class Schedule View the 2015 / 2016 Training Schedule >>

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Training Schedule and School Policies In­person and hands­on lab students: Monday through Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm with one hour lunch break Online students: Students can login at anytime and work at their own pace. There is a suggested pacing guide for each online course as well as live instructors available to answer questions. Students are given 6 weeks to complete all graded activities within the course to receive a record of completion with 2 more weeks of access for post course review totalling 8 weeks of access to the online course. Please Note: VA funded students are not eligible to take online coursework. All VA funded course work must be taken in­person.

When an unexpected closure occurs due to extraordinary conditions such as inclement weather, students will be notified as soon as possible by phone and/or email to provide closure information as a public service. Classes are not held on the following holidays:

New Year’s Eve Labor Day New Year’s Day Thanksgiving Day & the Friday following Memorial Day Christmas Eve Independence Day Christmas Day

Entrance Requirements

SEI is an open enrollment training organization. However, students still must meet the prerequisites for any course(s) for which they would like to register. Additionally, if a student wishes to be considered for admission into the SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Program, a separate application for admission is required. This program is a selective admissions program where we ask students to complete an application that requires an essay where they can indicate their dedication to successful program completion and their relevant transferable skills that would make them a good candidate for this rigorous training program. Please see application for details, http://www.solarenergy.org/sei­solar­professionals­certificate­program/. The school does not discriminate based on race, sex, religion, ethnic origin, or disability. By completing the accompanying SEI enrollment form, all students agree to comply with the requirements and directions of the training and supply any information that is relevant to safety and medical issues. Additionally, students completing this enrollment form attest to the fact that he or she is physically capable of performing all requirements of the training and agree to comply with all safety regulations and directions given by instructional staff. Enrollment

Prospective students may enroll anytime. Late enrollments will be accepted only one week into the course for online courses, and the first day of class for in­person and hands­on labs courses.

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Previous Credits

Credits from another institution will be evaluated on a case­by­case basis. The student may be asked to provide a transcript, certificate of completion, course catalog, link to the course description from the transferring school’s website showing equivalent course. Student’s may also be required to take an opt­out quiz to prove proficiency of course material. SEI does not guarantee transferability of our credits to another institution unless there is an articulated agreement with another institution. Veteran’s Transfer Credit Policy In addtional to the previous/transfer credit policy stated above, SEI will maintain a written record of the previous education and training of the veteran or eligible person and clearly indicates that appropriate credit has been given for previous education and training, with the training period shortened proportionately, and the veteran or eligible person and the Department of Veterans Affairs so notified. Transcripts A record of all students’ final grades for each course taken is kept in the SEI Student Information System. Students may request an official transcript by contacting the SEI Student Services team at, 970­527­7657. Postponement of Start Date

Postponement of a starting date, whether at the request of the school or the student, requires a written agreement signed by the student and the school. The agreement must set forth: a. Whether the postponement is for the convenience of the school or the student, and; b. A deadline for the new start date, beyond which the start date will not be postponed. If the course is not commenced, or the student fails to attend by the new start date set forth in the agreement, the student will be entitled to an appropriate refund of prepaid tuition and fees within 30 days of the deadline of the new start date set forth in the agreement, determined in accordance with the school’s refund policy and all applicable laws and rules concerning the Private Occupational Education Act of 1981.

Placement Assistance

Solar Energy International (SEI) offers employment assistance to graduates, consisting of job lead referrals and job skills development. While providing resources to help you in your job search, we make no guarantee, expressed or implied, of future employment. Current law prohibits any school from guaranteeing job placement as an inducement to enroll students.

Attendance / Online Course Progress Requirements

For SEI’s in­person classes and hands­on lab sessions, students are expected to arrive on time for class with proper materials and stay for the full duration of each class day. Additionally, students must attend all class days required for any given course. Instructors will take daily attendance and keep record of the class attendance with SEI’s Student Services Department. Missing class, excessive tardiness, or early departure constitute unsatisfactory attendance and the student will be dropped from the class. This will result in the student not

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earning the record of completion for that class and forfeiting any documented training hours for that class. In the SEI Online Campus, course participation and acceptable progress is determined by attempting ALL graded activities with a passing grade of 70% or higher averaged across all graded activities. Students who are unable to continue classes for medical reasons or severe personal problems will be required to take a leave of absence until they are able to return to class. Proper documentation will be required and a formal request for withdrawal will be required to substantiate a student’s withdrawal request. SEI Instructional Design and Assessment Process and Polices For over two decades, SEI has been a leader in providing world class training and educational offerings based on stringent and peer­reviewed curriculum and instructional design processes. This continuous improvement process ensures our curriculum and instructional offerings are in alignment with industry needs and establishes a rigorous and relevant learning opportunity for all of our students. Authentic Assessments The assessments offered through our training program, both online or in­person, evaluate our students as they work through the learning material in the online course format or in the case of in­person courses and hands­on labs, perform common technical tasks found in the renewable energy sector. These assessments demonstrate that they have mastered the essential knowledge and skills necessary to perform common tasks found in career fields in the renewable energy sector. All assessments are valid and reliable and aligned with industry needs. These assessments can come in the form of graded quizzes, exercises, and instructor monitored / evaluated skills mastered during hands­on lab sessions and in­person courses. Assessment Framework The following are SEI’s policies and procedures for assessment development, delivery, administration, scoring, scoring analysis, and review to ensure that students are meeting the stated learning outcomes. These assessments are required so we can evaluate student­learning outcomes using assessments that are measurable, objective, criterion referenced,and authentic. Assessment Development The SEI Curriculum Team is made up of professionals currently working in the renewable energy sector and are also serving as SEI instructors in both SEI’s in­person and online learning environments. This team performs the instructional design and assessment development functions throughout the entire SEI training program. Assessment questions are created based on all the learning objectives of each course and learning resources that are presented within the course. Additionally, all curriculum is developed based on industry peer­reviewed feedback as well as published job task analyses (JTAs) from industry

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recognized certifying entities like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Assessment Administration and Scoring ­ In­person / Hands­on Labs In the context of in­person and hands­on labs, students are assessed on daily classroom attendance, active class participation, completed homework, participation in tours, hands­on lab participation, completed quizzes and is signed off by the instructor of record and given a Pass or Fail status. This Pass/Fail status is documented on a Student Progress Worksheet for in­person and hands­on lab courses. The results found on this Student Progress Worksheet is then passed on to the SEI Student Services Department to be placed into the student’s official school record in the SEI Student Information System. Assessment Administration and Scoring ­ SEI Online Campus In the case of graded assessments in an online course through SEI’s Online Campus, the instructor of record or the automated Learning Management System grading system are tasked with scoring the assessments. These assessments are recorded in the online gradebook for online courses. These grades are harvested by the SEI Student Services Department at the end of each session and entered into the student’s official school record in the SEI Student Information System. In the SEI Online Campus, course participation and acceptable progress is determined by attempting graded activities with a passing grade of 70% or higher averaged across all graded activities. Below is the grading scale that is recorded based on the online course average at the end of the course: 90 – 100 = A Excellent 80 – 89 = B Above Average 70 – 79 = C Average 60 – 69 = D Below Average Under 60 = U Unsatisfactory Scoring Analysis and Review At the end of each course these scores are reviewed by the instructors of record who also review student feedback through the SEI end of course surveys. Feedback can come directly from a student at the time of the assessment or through an end of course survey. This feedback may indicate that there may be an assessment question(s) that is inaccurate or poorly worded. This feedback is confirmed by the instructor of record and placed in SEI’s curriculum tracking documentation for the SEI Curriculum Team to make appropriate adjustments to the assessment questions. These changes are tracked and remedied through the SEI instructional design process and pushed out to all future courses. Progress Policy

Students must maintain an 70% grade point average to complete the SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Program. Those who do not, will be given an opportunity to retake courses, for a retake fee of ½ the original tuition price of each course. The retake option is available anytime within one year of original course start date. The student may be dropped from the program if acceptable progress is not satisfactory after multiple attempts to pass a course. Dropping of a

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student from the SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Program shall be at the school Director’s discretion. The Executive Director has final authority and shall notify the student of the final decision. Conduct Policy

All students are expected to act maturely and are required to respect other students and faculty members. Possession of weapons, illegal drugs, and alcohol of any kind are not allowed at any time on school property. Any violation of school policies may result in permanent dismissal from school. Dismissal

Any student may be dismissed for violations of rules and regulations of the school, as set forth in school publications. A student also may be withdrawn from classes if he or she does not prepare sufficiently, neglects assignments, or makes unsatisfactory progress. The Executive Director, after consultation with all parties involved, makes the final decision. The Executive Director may temporarily suspend students whose conduct is disruptive or unacceptable to the academic setting. After appropriate counseling, students who demonstrate a genuine desire to learn and conform to school standards of conduct, may be allowed to resume attendance. The Executive Director will review each case and decide upon re­admittance. SEI Training Facilities and the SEI Online Campus

SEI’s Paonia, Colorado Training Facility SEI’s main campus educational center is located at 39845 Mathews Lane Paonia, CO 81428. Over the past 20+ years, more than 40,000+ people from all 50 states and 66 countries have attended SEI’s renewable energy courses. SEI’s training facility is equipped to provide hands­on experiential learning and showcase the potential for renewable energy technologies, especially solar photovoltaics (PV) technologies. SEI’s training facility offers students an unparalleled opportunity to practice what they’ve learned in the classroom. As part of SEI’s commitment to deliver code compliant, safety oriented, cutting edge curriculum and training opportunities to participants, SEI has continued to advance the hands­on training capabilities in PV. The PV training program explores the various system types (grid­direct, grid­tied with battery back­up, and stand­ alone) and mounting techniques (roof mount, pole mount, and ground mount) common in the PV industry. Participants in SEI’s PV workshops work with instructors who have extensive field experience and are passionate about teaching, offering an unparalleled combination of hands­on knowledge and technical expertise. From detailed solar site analysis to system design and installation, SEI participants can experience many aspects of PV systems. During SEI lab training, students will be exposed to typical outdoor working environments that may include intense sun exposure, heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, and high elevation. Both

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instructional staff and students are required to bring with them appropriate clothing, water bottles, sunglasses, etc. to ensure a comfortable and safe learning experience. SEI’s Online Campus In order to offer flexibility of learning from anywhere / anytime and allowing students to learn at their own pace with instructional support from industry experts, SEI has established the SEI Online Campus. This online learning platform offers the exact same curriculum that is offered in the in­person, non­lab, classroom sessions while offering a longer period of time for completion. These online courses are also taught by live instructors, many of whom also teach the in­person sessions. Graded activities and required forum participation helps ensure students are staying on task and absorbing the learning content. These online courses provide a convenient way to satisfy the prerequisite training requirements to attend SEI’s hands­on labs.

Refund Policies

Students not accepted to the school are entitled to all moneys paid. Students who cancel this contract by notifying the school within three (3) business days are entitled to a full refund of all tuition and fees paid. Students, who withdraw after three (3) business days, but before commencement of classes, are entitled to a full refund of all tuition and fees paid except the maximum cancellation charge of $150.00 or 25% of the contract price, whichever is less. In the case of students withdrawing after commencement of classes, the school will retain a cancellation charge plus a percentage of tuition and fees, which is based on the percentage of contact hours attended (if training is offered as distance education: “based on the percentage of no. of lessons completed”)*, as described in the table below. The refund is based on the official date of termination or formal documented withdrawal.

SEI In­person Classes and Hands­on Labs Refund Table Student is entitled to upon withdrawal/termination Refund Within first 10% of program ­ (Before Noon on Day 1) 90% less cancellation charge After 10% but within first 25% of program ­ (Day 1) 75% less cancellation charge After 25% but within first 50% of program ­ (Day 2) 50% less cancellation charge After 50% but within first 75% of program ­ (Day 3) 25% less cancellation charge After 75% (Before Noon on Day 4) [if paid in full, cancellation charge is not applicable]

NO Refund

SEI Online Campus Refund Table

Student is entitled to upon withdrawal/termination Refund Within first 10% of online course lessons 90% less cancellation charge After 10% but within first 25% of online course lessons 75% less cancellation charge After 25% but within first 50% of online course lessons 50% less cancellation charge After 50% but within first 75% of online course lessons 25% less cancellation charge After 75% of online course lessons NO Refund

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1. The student may cancel this contract at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after signing this contract.

2. All refunds will be made within 30 days from the date of termination. The official date of termination or withdrawal of a student shall be determined in the following manner:

a. The date on which the school receives a completed course withdrawal form with the student’s intention to discontinue the training program; or

b. The date on which the student violates published school policy, which provides for termination.

c. Should a student fail to return from an excused leave of absence, the effective date of termination for a student on an extended leave of absence or a leave of absence is the earlier of the date the school determines the student is not returning or the day following the expected return date.

d. For online courses, the student’s SEI Online Campus log files will be used to determine what lessons were accessed to calculate the amount of refund that will be given.

3. The student will receive a full refund of tuition and fees paid if the school discontinues a Program/Stand Alone course within a period of time a student could have reasonably completed it, except that this provision shall not apply in the event the school ceases operation.

4. The policy for granting credit for previous training shall not impact the refund policy.

Refund Policy for VA Funded Students Refund Policy

Non­Accredited Courses In Accordance with VA Regulation 21.4255­1

Students not accepted by the school and students who cancel the contract by notifying the school within three business days are entitled to a full refund of all tuition and fees paid. If any student withdraws after three business days, but before commencement of classes, he/she is entitled to a full refund of all tuition and fees paid including the registration fee in excess of $10. In the case of students withdrawing after commencement of classes, the school will retain a cancellation fee plus a percentage of tuition and fees, which is based on the percentage of contact hours attended, as described in the table below. The refund is based on the last date of record of attendance.

Refund Table for Veteran Student (s)

Student entitled upon withdrawal/termination Refund

10% of program completed 90% Refund

20% of program completed 80% Refund

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30% of program completed 70% Refund

40% of program completed 60% Refund

50% of program completed 50% Refund

60% of program completed 40% Refund

70% of program completed 30% Refund

80% of program completed 20% Refund

90% of program completed 10% Refund

The student may cancel this contract at any time prior to close of the third business day

after signing the enrollment agreement. The official date of termination for refund purposes is the last date of recorded

attendance. All refunds will be made within 30 days from the date of termination. The student will receive a full refund of tuition and fees paid if the school discontinues a

course/program within a period of time a student could have reasonable completed it, except that this provision shall not apply in the event the school ceases operation.

Complaints, which cannot be resolved by direct negotiation between the student and the school, may be filed with the Division of Private Occupational Schools of the Colorado Department of Higher Education. The Division shall not consider any claim that is filed more than two years after the date the student discontinues his/her training at the school.

Student Grievance Procedure If a student has a grievance regarding any SEI policy or staff member they should contact, via email, SEI’s Executive Director, Kathy Swartz at kswartz@solarenergy.org. Students should first discuss any instructional grievances directly with their instructor. If unable to come to a mutually acceptable conclusion, students should contact, via email, SEI’s Executive Director, Kathy Swartz at kswartz@solarenergy.org for in­person and hands­on lab courses. For SEI Online Campus courses contact via email, SEI’s Director of Online Learning, Chris Turek at chris@solarenergy.org. Final decisions may be appealed to SEI’s Executive Director, Kathy Swartz at kswartz@solarenergy.org. Once a grievance is submitted via email to the Executive Director, within one week, she will investigate the grievance and arrange an appointment if necessary with the student for discussion. Every effort will be made to resolve any grievance in a timely manner. Student Complaints

Attempting to resolve any issue with the School first is strongly encouraged. Student Complaints may be brought to the attention of the Division of Private Occupational Schools online at http://highered.colorado.gov/dpos ,303 862­3001. There is a two­year statute of

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limitations for the Division to take action on a student complaint (from student’s last day of attendance).

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